The Apalachee High School volleyball team has continued its winning tradition this season and is looking to once again be a force in the postseason.

The Lady Wildcats have benefited from strong play from seniors Maddie Swift, Kiara Hooks and Lauren Macdowell.

“All three are solid players,” said coach Joey Alfonso. “Kiara and Maddie both played part-time last year, but are full-time contributors this season. Lauren has continued what she did for us last season.”

The team entered this week 36-15 overall and Alfonso said this season has not been without its share of struggles at times.

“We may have the best offense we’ve had in terms of having several players who can contribute,” the coach said. “However, we have struggled defensively. We still have two weeks to get ready for the area tournament. We hope to continue our progress in the next couple of weeks. Being a No. 1 seed always helped. Of course, the last two years we’ve had to play a ranked team in the first round of state.”

In somewhat of an off move when compared with other sports, the committee which oversees volleyball decided to take away one state team from Area 8-AAAAA.

“They said because of our area’s lack of success at state they weren’t going to allow four teams to compete,” Alfonso said. “The last two years, however, our area was matched up against the top area in the first round. Even their No. 4 seeds were ranked.”

AHS recognized seniors Hooks, Macdowell, Swift and Gabby Davis during Tuesday’s final home regular season matches against Flowery Branch and Cedar Shoals.

On Tuesday, Alfonso’s team wrapped up its regular season area schedule by sweeping Flowery Branch and Cedar Shoals. The Lady Wildcats dispatched of Flowery Branch 25-14, 25-16 and then defeated an overmatched Cedar Shoals team 25-7, 25-3.

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